The Packers got a reprieve on Sunday night when the Eagles throttled the Bears, moving them back into position to win the NFC North with a win against Chicago in Week 17.
The big story of the week in Wisconsin will be whether Aaron Rodgers quarterbacks them in that game. Whether or not he does, it looks like the Packers will have to go without linebacker Clay Matthews.
Matthews left Sunday’s loss to the Steelers after injuring his right thumb on a sack of Ben Roethlisberger. After the game, coach Mike McCarthy indicated the injury was similar to the fracture that kept Matthews out for four games after surgery earlier this season.
“I couldn’t give you a timeline, but I think based off the history of what happened the first time, I’m told it’s similar to [a] repeat injury,” McCarthy said, via ESPN.com.
Nick Perry replaced Matthews against the Steelers and will likely be in the starting lineup if Matthews is indeed ruled out for the regular season finale. The Packers also saw linebacker Brad Jones and running back Eddie Lacy leave with injuries that could continue to cost the Pack into next week.